Exercise bar having sliding hand grips

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus includes an elongate bar having a medial portion and opposed ends disposed outwardly of the medial portion with a pair of hand grips mounted on the bar in spaced-apart relation and configured to slide along the length of the bar against a resistance force from a first exercise position to a second exercise position. A resistance member fixed to the bar and movably attached to at least one of the hand grips increases the resistance force as the hand grip slides along the bar from the first exercise position to the second exercise position. The resistance member includes inner and outer band attachment mounts spaced-apart along the length of the bar and an elastic band attached to and disposed between the band attachment mounts. A user performs push-up exercises from a prone position and barbell exercises from a supine position or a standing position.

CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATION

This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/394,413 filed Oct. 19, 2010, the entire disclosure ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to exercise apparatus for performinganaerobic exercises, and more particularly, to an exercise apparatushaving sliding hand grips for performing push-up exercises from a proneposition, and for performing barbell exercises from a supine position ora standing position.

BACKGROUND AND RELATED ART

Push-up exercises (also known in British-English as “press-up”exercises) have long been used to develop pectoral, triceps and deltoidmuscles. Push-ups are a common calisthenics exercise typically performedin a prone (lying face-down) position by raising and lowering the upperbody using the arms. Various push-up exercise apparatus exist thatincrease the difficulty of the exercise and/or the range of motion ofthe exercise, and thereby enhance the benefits obtained from performingpush-up exercises.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,930 issued Feb. 13, 2001 to Ignaczakdiscloses a push-up exercise trainer including an elongate base and apair of handgrip assemblies slidably mounted within the base to allowfor lateral movement of the handgrips relative to the base. Eachhandgrip is further configured to allow for rotation about a verticalaxis and for rotation about a horizontal axis, as well as means forselectively allowing or preventing the sliding and/or rotating motions.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,162 issued Jul. 1, 1997 to Landers et al. disclosesan exercise apparatus for performing lateral extension exercises from aprone position. The apparatus includes one or more grip means incombination with an elongate guide means wherein the grip means areconfigured for rolling or sliding movement within the guide means.Adjustable stop means may also be provided to vary the distance that thegrip means is permitted to move within the guide means.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,645,218 issued Jan. 12, 2010 to Potok discloses anexercise apparatus for performing a bent-elbow plank position (i.e.armless) push-up from a prone position. The apparatus includes a pair oftrolleys movably mounted on top of opposed rails that are inclinedtoward an elevated centerline. A user places his or her elbows in thetrolleys and moves the trolleys inwardly up the inclined rails.Resistance against the inward and upward movement may be varied, forexample, by adding resistance to the movement of the trolleys and/orincreasing the incline of the rails.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,111,417 issued Sep. 5, 1978 to Gardner discloses a torsoexercise apparatus including an elongate frame and a pair ofspaced-apart handles secured to slides that are slidably mounted in theframe. Compression coil springs on opposite sides of the handles biasthe handles towards a neutral position. The springs act as a form ofresistance to sliding motion of the handles while the user performs apush-up exercise from a prone position.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,803 issued Feb. 17, 1976 to Wilmoth et al. disclosesan exercise device including an elongate bar and a pair of hand gripsdisposed at the outer ends of the bar. Wheels are slidably mounted onthe bar between the hand grips and a compression spring is disposedbetween the wheels. The hand grips and wheels may be moved inwardlyagainst the resistance of the spring while the device is used as aroller exerciser from a prone position.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,753 issued Jan. 27, 2009 to James et al. discloses arotatable exercise device for aiding a user to perform push-up exercisesfrom a prone position. The device includes a platform rotatably mountedon a base that is adapted to be supported on a substantially horizontalsurface, such as a floor. A gripping bar mounted on the platform isgrasped by the user during a push-up exercise so that the shoulders andother muscle groups must be worked in addition to the arm and chestmuscles in order to maintain a stable position during the exercise.

Barbell exercises have long been used to develop chest, shoulder,biceps, triceps and abdominal muscles. Barbell exercises are typicallyperformed from a supine (lying face-up) position or a standing position.Likewise, various barbell exercise apparatus exist that increase thedifficulty of the exercise and/or the range of motion of the exercise,and thereby enhance the benefits obtained from performing barbellexercises.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,122 issued Dec. 18, 1990 to Dibowskidiscloses a barbell exercise apparatus including an elongate bar, one ormore weights mounted at each end of the bar, and a safety lock at eachend of the bar for preventing the weights from sliding off the bar.Handles are also mounted on the bar with a compression spring disposedbetween each handle and the corresponding weight(s). As such, a user mayforce the handles outwardly against the resistance of the springs whileperforming an arm extension exercise from a supine position or astanding position.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,731 issued Oct. 6, 1992 to Troutman disclosesanother barbell exercise apparatus including an elongate bar and a pairof grips that are freely movable on the bar in both the inward andoutward directions (i.e. axially), while being prevented from rotatingabout the longitudinal axis of the bar. Stops may be provided on the barto limit the axial travel of the grips.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,756,597 issued Sep. 4, 1973 to Monti discloses anexercise device including an elongate shaft having hand grips adjacentopposite ends of the shaft. Weight members are mounted on the shaftoutwardly of the hand grips by bearing assemblies that allow the weightmembers to rotate independently about the lengthwise axis of the shaft.The hand grips may be slidingly supported on the shaft and provided withsprings for resisting sliding movement of the hand grips towards oneanother.

Although known exercise apparatus are suitable for performing eitherpush-up exercise or barbell exercises, it is apparent that none aresuitable for performing both push-up exercises and barbell exerciseswithout modification or alteration of the apparatus. Furthermore, theknown exercise apparatus that provide resistance against slidingmovement of hand grips on an exercise bar do not permit the amount ofthe resistance to be readily varied over a significant range. Inparticular, the prior art exercise devices require the mechanicalinterface between the hand grips and a slide or rail to be adjusted(i.e. tightened or loosened), or alternatively, rely on the naturalincrease in compression force or extension force generated by aconventional coil spring.

Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved exercise apparatushaving sliding hand grips for performing push-up exercises from a proneposition, and for performing barbell exercises from a supine position ora standing position. More particularly, these exists a need for such anexercise apparatus that permits the amount of resistance against slidingmovement of the hand grips to be readily varied over a significantrange. There exists a specific need for an exercise apparatus havingsliding hand grips that combines the advantages of versatility of thetype of exercise and the variability of the amount of resistancerequired to execute sliding movement of the hand grips in a singleexercise device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an exerciseapparatus, namely an exercise bar with sliding hand grips, forperforming push-up exercises according to the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 shownin a first exercise position.

FIG. 2B is an elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 shownin a second exercise position.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in thefirst exercise position.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in thesecond exercise position.

FIG. 4 is a section view of a portion the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1taken along the line and in the direction indicated by arrows 4-4 inFIG. 3A.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a typical one of a bandattachment mount configured for receiving a resistance band of theexercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amethod for performing push-up exercises according to the presentinvention with the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 shown in the firstposition.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view further illustrating the exemplary methodfor performing push-up exercises of FIG. 6 with the exercise apparatusof FIG. 1 shown in the second position.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of amethod for performing barbell exercises according to the presentinvention using the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view further illustrating the exemplary methodfor performing barbell exercises of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of anexercise apparatus, namely an exercise bar with sliding hand grips, forperforming push-up exercises according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of a typical one of the opposedends of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The accompanying drawing figures illustrate one or more exemplary, andin some instances preferred, embodiments of an exercise apparatus andmethod for performing push-up and barbell exercises. The drawing figuresare provided to fully and accurately describe the best mode ofpracticing the invention known to the inventor(s) at this time, andthereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and practice theinvention without undue experimentation. Those skilled in the art willreadily appreciate that alterations and/or modifications may be made toany embodiment described herein without departing from the intendedspirit and the broadest available scope of the invention.

FIGS. 1-5 show an exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus,indicated generally at 10, according to the invention. FIG. 1 is aperspective view of the exercise apparatus 10 comprising an exercise barindicated generally at 30. As shown, exercise bar 30 comprises anelongate bar 32 having a medial portion and opposed ends disposedoutwardly of the medial portion. A pair of hand grips, indicatedgenerally at 40, is mounted on the bar 32 in spaced-apart relation. Eachhand grip 40 is slidably mounted on the bar 32 for sliding movementalong the length of the bar, as will be described. Stops 46 mayoptionally be secured on the bar 32 outwardly of the hand grips 40 tolimit the extent of sliding movement of the hand grips along the bartowards the opposed ends. Optional resistance members, indicatedgenerally at 50, may also be provided for increasing a resistance forceagainst sliding movement of the hand grips 40 inwardly along the lengthof the bar 32, as will be described. Exercise apparatus 10 furthercomprises a stand 20 for supporting the exercise bar 30 a suitabledistance above a generally horizontal surface, such as a floor. Asshown, stand 20 comprises an elongate, generally rectangular base 22 anda pair of cradles 24 extending upwardly from the base at opposite endsof the stand. Each of the cradles 24 is formed with a generally U-shapedtrough for receiving and supporting the opposed ends of the bar 32, forexample during a push-up exercise. A removable clip 35 may also beattached at each of the opposed ends of the bar 32 for retaining one ormore weights (not shown) on the bar outwardly of the stops 46, forexample during a barbell exercise.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A are elevation and plan views, respectively, showingthe exercise apparatus 10 in a first exercise position. FIG. 2B and FIG.3B are elevation and plan views, respectively, showing the exerciseapparatus 10 in a second exercise position. In the first exerciseposition, the hand grips 40 are positioned outwardly on the bar 32against the respective stops 46. In the second exercise position, thehand grips 40 are positioned inwardly on the bar 32 in generallyabutting relation. Resistance members 50 retain the hand grips 40 in thefirst exercise position and exert a resistance force against slidingmovement of the hand grips from the first exercise position to thesecond exercise position. FIG. 6 illustrates a person P performing apush-up exercise in the first exercise position (i.e. hand grips 40positioned outwardly on bar 32). FIG. 7 illustrates the person Pperforming the push-up exercise in the second exercise position (i.e.hand grips 40 positioned inwardly on bar 32 in generally abuttingrelation). Similarly, FIG. 8 illustrates the person P performing abarbell exercise in the first exercise position, while FIG. 9illustrates the person P performing the barbell exercise in the secondexercise position.

Stand 20 may be made of any suitable high-strength, high stiffnessmaterial, such as metal, plastic or composite. Preferably, stand 20 ismade of a relatively inexpensive metal alloy. Bar 32 may be made of anysuitable high strength, high stiffness material, such as metal.Preferably bar 32 is made of relatively inexpensive hardened steel. Bar32 may be solid or partially hollow and may have any suitablecross-sectional shape, such as round, cylindrical, rectangular orsquare. Preferably, bar 32 is solid and formed with a roundcross-section having a diameter of between about one inch and aboutthree inches.

As best shown in FIG. 4, each hand grip 40 comprises a generallycylindrical slide 42 and a sleeve 44 that is disposed concentricallyabout at least a portion of the slide. Slide 42 may be made of anysuitable high strength, low-friction material, such as metal, plastic orcomposite. Preferably, slide 42 is made of a relatively inexpensivemetal, such as aluminum or hardened steel. In an alternative embodiment,slide 42 is made of an engineering thermoplastic, such aspolyoxymethylene (POM) available from E.I du Pont de Nemours and Companyof Wilmington, Del., under the trade name Delrin®. Sleeve 44 may be madeof any suitable relatively high-strength, high-friction material, suchas soft plastic, close-cell foam or rubber. Preferably, sleeve 44 ismade of a relatively inexpensive elastomer, such as natural or syntheticpolyisoprene. The slide 42 has an inner periphery configured to conformclosely to the outer diameter of the bar 32, and the sleeve 44 has aninner periphery configured to conform to the outer periphery of theslide. Preferably, the outer periphery of slide 42 and the innerperiphery of sleeve 44 are circular (i.e. round) for ease of manufactureand fit. However, at least an outer portion of the outer periphery ofslide 42 may be rectangular or square for a purpose to be described.Regardless, sleeve 44 is positioned over the outer end of slide 42 andthe inner periphery of the sleeve is adhered to the outer periphery ofthe slide in a suitable manner, for example by a high-strength adhesive,to prevent the sleeve from slipping relative to the slide during use.

Resistance member 50 comprises a pair of band attachment mounts 52 forreceiving an elastic band 54 having a restraining bulb 56 at each end.As shown, an inner one of the band attachment mounts 52 is adapted to besecured to the slide 42 of the hand grip 40 such that the hand grip isbiased outwardly along the length of the bar 32. The inner bandattachment mount 52 is positioned onto and secured to the outer portionof the slide 42. The inner band attachment mount 52 may be secured tothe outer portion of the slide 42 in any conventional manner, forexample by a threaded tap screw, as previously described, oralternatively, by a high-strength adhesive, to prevent the mount fromslipping relative to the slide. In another embodiment, the outerperiphery of the outer portion of the slide 42 may be non-circular (e.g.rectangular or square) and the inner periphery of the inner bandattachment mount 52 may be configured to conform to the outer peripheryof the outer portion of the slide. In this manner, the inner bandattachment mount 52 is further prevented from slipping relative to theslide 42 and may be readily aligned in a vertical orientation to receivethe elastic band 54.

An outer one of the band attachment mounts 52 is adapted to bepositioned onto and secured to an outer portion of the bar 32. As shown,the outer band attachment mount 52 and the inner band attachment mount52 are made of the same material and configured to be the same size andshape for commonality of manufacture and reduced cost. Accordingly, aspacer 58 is positioned between outer band attachment mount 52 and bar32. Spacer 58 may be made of any suitable lightweight, high-strengthmaterial, such as metal, plastic or composite. Preferably, spacer 58 ismade of a relatively inexpensive plastic, such as polycarbonate. Theband attachment mounts 52 are preferably made of the same or similarmaterial as spacer 58 for reduced cost of materials. The outer bandattachment mount 52 and the spacer 58 may be secured to each other andto the outer portion of the bar 32 in any conventional manner, forexample by a threaded tap screw, as previously described, oralternatively, by a high-strength adhesive, to prevent the mount fromslipping relative to the bar. Alternatively, the spacer 58 may besecured to the bar 32 as previously described and the outer bandattachment mount 52 may be press fit (i.e. tight interference fit) ontothe spacer. In another embodiment, the outer periphery of the spacer 58may be non-circular (e.g. rectangular or square) and the inner peripheryof the outer band attachment mount 52 may be configured to conform tothe outer periphery of the spacer. In this manner, the outer bandattachment mount 52 is prevented from slipping relative to the spacer 58and may be readily aligned in a vertical orientation to receive theelastic band 54. In yet another embodiment, the band attachment mounts52 may be configured to have a loose interference fit with outerperiphery of the bar 32. In this embodiment, the inner band attachmentmount 52 is positioned directly onto the bar 32 and secured to slide 42,for example to an annular flange (not shown) provided on the outerportion of the slide. The outer band attachment mount 52 (having thesame configuration as the inner band attachment mount) is likewisepositioned directly onto the bar 32 and secured directly to the bar, sothat the spacer 58 is eliminated.

As best shown in FIG. 5, each of the band attachment mounts 52 is formedwith a relatively large through opening 52A for receiving the outerperiphery of the portion of the slide 42 and the outer periphery of thespacer 58, or alternatively, for receiving the outer periphery of thebar 32, as required by the particular embodiment. Each band attachmentmount 52 is further formed with a relatively small opening 52B thatdefines a groove or slot 52C sized and shaped to receive the elasticband 54. The restraining bulb 56 provided at each end of the elasticband 54 is sized and shaped to be larger than both opening 52B and slot52C of band attachment mount 52. In this manner, the restraining bulbs56 are restrained by the respective band attachment mounts 52 againstcompressive forces exerted by the elastic band 54. Preferably, therelaxed, or non-extended, length of the elastic band 54 is slightly lessthan the distance between the inner band attachment mount 52 and theouter band attachment 52 when the hand grip 40 is in the first exerciseposition. As such, the elastic band 54 need only be elongated, orextended, slightly to be received within the slots 52C and the openings52B of the band attachment mounts 52 with each of the restraining bulbs56 restrained by the respective band attachment mount (FIG. 4). Ifdesired, different elastic bands 54 or a plurality of the same ordifferent elastic bands may be utilized with each elastic band 54 havingessentially the same relaxed, or non-extended, length, but a differentresistance to elongation. In this manner, the amount of resistance tosliding movement of the hand grips 40 along the length of the bar 32from the first exercise position to the second exercise position may bereadily varied over any desired range.

Stop 46 may be made of any suitable high-strength material, such asmetal, plastic or composite. Preferably, stop 46 is made of a relativelyinexpensive metal, such as aluminum or hardened steel and is the same orsimilar to the material of the slide 42. Stop 46 is secured to the bar32 in any conventional manner, for example by a threaded tap screwpassed through a bore formed in the stop and inserted into a threadedbore formed in the outer periphery of the bar 32. Alternatively, stop 46may be secured to the bar 32 by welding, by a high-strength adhesive, orby a through pin, such as a cotter pin similar to removable clip 35.Regardless, stop 46 is positioned onto bar 32 between the bandattachment mounts 52 of resistance member 50 such that the stop isadjacent the inner band attachment when the hand grip 40 is in the firstexercise position. In this manner, the hand grips 40 are prevented fromsliding movement outwardly on the bar 32 beyond the first exerciseposition and can only be moved inwardly along the length of the bar 32in the direction of the second exercise position.

Exercise bar 30 may be assembled by first attaching sleeves 44 to slides42 as previously described. The inner band attachment mounts 52 are thenpositioned on and secured to the slides 42 of the hand grips 40 aspreviously described. The hand grips 40 including inner band attachmentmounts 52 are then slid over the opposed ends of bar 32 inwardly to atleast the first exercise position. Next, the stops 46 are slid over theopposed ends of the bar 32 and positioned adjacent the inner bandattachment mounts 52 with the hand grips 40 in the first exerciseposition. The stops 46 are then secured to the bar 32 as previouslydescribed. Alternatively, the stops 46 may be formed in two pieces andclamped together tightly around the outer periphery of the bar 32 at thedesired location. Similarly, the inner band attachment mounts 52 couldbe formed in two pieces and clamped together tightly around the outerportion of the slides 42 before or after the hand grips 40 arepositioned on the bar 32. Regardless, the outer band attachment mounts52 with spacers 58, or alternatively, the outer band attachment mountswithout spacers, are then slid over the opposed ends of the bar 32 andpositioned on the bar at the location corresponding to the relaxed, ornon-extended, length of the elastic band 54. The spacers 58 and/or outerband attachment mounts 52 are then secured to the bar 32 as previouslydescribed. Likewise, the spacers 58 and/or outer band attachment mounts52 alternatively may be formed in two pieces and clamped togethertightly around the outer periphery of the bar 32 at the desiredlocation. Finally, the elastic bands 54 are inserted into the slots 52Cand openings 52B of the inner and outer band attachment mounts 52 withthe hand grips 40 (including inner band attachment mounts 52) in thefirst exercise position adjacent the stops 46. The opposed ends of thebar 32 may then be placed in the troughs defined by the cradles 24 ofthe stand 20 for convenient storage of the exercise bar 30, or forperforming push-up exercises from a prone position. Subsequently, atleast one weight W (FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) may be slid over the opposed endsof the bar 32 and retained on the bar by a corresponding removable clip35 for performing barbell exercises from a supine position or from astanding position.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method forperforming push-up exercises from a prone position according to thepresent invention. A person P desiring to perform push-up exercises froma prone position places the opposed ends of the bar 32 into the troughsdefined by the cradles 24 of the stand 20 with the stand securelypositioned on a generally horizontal surface, such as a floor. Ifdesired, the stand 20 may be secured to the floor in any suitable mannerto prevent the exercise apparatus 10 from slipping relative to thefloor. Furthermore, the opposed ends of the bar 32 may be secured to thecradles 24 in any suitable manner that does not obstruct the extensionand retraction movement of the elastic bands 54. Once the exercise bar30 is properly positioned on the stand 20, the person P uses his or herhands to grip the sleeves 44 of the hand grips 40 in the “down portion”of a conventional push-up exercise with the elbows bent and the legsextended away from the bar 32 in the prone position illustrated in FIG.6. The position of the hand grips 40 (including the inner bandattachment mounts 52) in the down portion of the push-up exercise isalso referred to herein as the first exercise position. The person Pnext moves to the “up portion” of a conventional push-up exercise bymoving (i.e. sliding) the hand grips 40 inwardly along the length of thebar 32 against the resistance of the elastic bands 54 until the elbowsare locked with the legs still extended in the prone positionillustrated in FIG. 7. The position of the hand grips 40 (including theinner band attachment mounts 52) in the up portion of the push-upexercise is also referred to herein as the second exercise position. Theperson P returns to the “down portion” of the push-up exercise by moving(i.e. sliding) the hand grips 40 outwardly along the length of the bar32 back to the first exercise position to compete the push-up exercisein the prone position illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a method forperforming barbell exercises from a standing position according to thepresent invention. It will be readily appreciated that barbell exercisesmay also be performed from a supine position in essentially the samemanner as described hereafter. A person P desiring to perform barbellexercises from a standing position removes the opposed ends of theexercise bar 32 from the troughs defined by the cradles 24 of the stand20. If desired, at least one weight W is slid positioned on each of theopposed ends of the bar 32 and retained on the bar by a removable clip35, or the like. With the exercise bar 30 removed from the stand 20, theperson P uses his or her hands to grip the sleeves 44 of the hand grips40 in the “retracted portion” of a conventional barbell exercise withthe elbows bent and the legs in the standing position illustrated inFIG. 8. The position of the hand grips 40 (including the inner bandattachment mounts 52) in the retracted portion of the barbell exerciseis also referred to herein as the first exercise position. The person Pnext moves to the “extended portion” of a conventional barbell exerciseby moving (i.e. sliding) the hand grips 40 inwardly along the length ofthe bar 32 against the resistance of the elastic bands 54 until theelbows are locked with the legs still in the standing positionillustrated in FIG. 9. The position of the hand grips 40 (including theinner band attachment mounts 52) in the extended portion of the barbellexercise is also referred to herein as the second exercise position. Theperson P returns to the “retracted portion” of the barbell exercise bymoving (i.e. sliding) the hand grips 40 outwardly along the length ofthe bar 32 back to the first exercise position to compete the barbellexercise in the standing position illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10-11 show another exemplary embodiment of an exercise apparatus,indicated generally at 10′, according to the invention. FIG. 10 is aperspective view of the exercise apparatus 10′ comprising an exercisebar indicated generally at 30′. As shown, exercise bar 30′ comprises anelongate bar 32′ having a medial portion and opposed ends disposedoutwardly of the medial portion. A pair of hand grips, indicatedgenerally at 40′, is mounted on the bar 32′ in spaced-apart relation.Each hand grip 40′ is slidably mounted on the bar 32′ for slidingmovement along the length of the bar, as previously described. Stops 46′may optionally be secured on the bar 32′ outwardly of the hand grips 40′to limit the extent of sliding movement of the hand grips along the bartowards the opposed ends. Optional resistance members, indicatedgenerally at 50′, may also be provided for increasing a resistance forceagainst sliding movement of the hand grips 40′ inwardly along the lengthof the bar 32′, as previously described. Exercise apparatus 10′ furthercomprises a stand 20′ for supporting the center of the bar 32′ asuitable distance above a generally horizontal surface, such as a floor.As shown, stand 20′ comprises a generally rectangular base 22′ having anopening therethrough for receiving the bar 32′ with the base secured tothe bar, for example by a fastener 24′ extending downwardly through thebase and into contact with the bar. In a further embodiment, the stand20′ may also serve as an inner stop for the hand grips 40′.

It should be noted that each of the outer stops 46′ also serves as acradle formed with a generally U-shaped trough for receiving andsupporting the opposed ends of the bar 32′ during a push-up exercise. Asshown in FIG. 11, the opposed ends of the bar 32′ are configured (i.e.sized and shaped) to be secured, for example by press fit, within atrough formed by a cradle portion 48 of the corresponding stop 46′. Thebar 32′ is secured to the stops 46′ to thereby prevent rotation and/orslipping of the bar during a push-up exercise, and further, to maintainthe alignment of the stand 20′ with the stops. However, if desired, thebar 32′ may be releasably secured to (i.e. removable from) the stops 46′so that the exercise bar 30′ (without the stops) may be used in astanding position as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9. Regardless, the stops46′ function to support the exercise bar 32′ in conjunction with stand20′ on a floor during a push-up exercise from a prone position asillustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. If further desired, the opposed ends ofthe bar 32′ may be extended and a removable clip (not shown) attached ateach of the opposed ends of the bar for retaining one or more weights(not shown) on the bar outwardly of the stops 46′ to permit theremovable bar 32′ to be used, for example, to perform barbell exercisesfrom a standing position as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Stand 20′ and stops 46′ may be made of any suitable high-strength, highstiffness material, such as metal, plastic or composite. Preferably,stand 20′ and stops 46′ are both made of a relatively inexpensive highstrength plastic. Likewise, bar 32′ may be made of any suitable highstrength, high stiffness material, such as metal, plastic or composite.Preferably bar 32′ is made of relatively inexpensive hardened steel. Bar32′ may be solid or partially hollow and may have any desired andsuitable cross-sectional shape, such as round, cylindrical, rectangularor square. Preferably, the center portion of bar 32′ extending betweenthe opposed stops 46′ is solid and formed with a round cross-sectionhaving a diameter of between about one inch and about three inches. Assuch, stand 20′ can be aligned relative to bar 32′ in a suitableposition for engaging a horizontal surface, for example a floor, andhand grips 40′ will slide easily along the length of the bar 32′inwardly towards stand 20′ and outwardly towards stops 46′. In contrast,the opposed ends of the bar 32′ are preferably formed with an irregular(e.g. square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc.) cross-section to engage bar32′ within cradle portions 48 of stops 46′ in a predeterminedorientation, and thereby further prevent rotation and/or slipping of thebar during a push-up exercise. Alternatively, the entire length of thebar 32′ may be formed with a uniform round or irregular cross-section asdesired.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the opposed ends ofbar 32′ of the exercise bar 30′ showing the stop 46′ and correspondingresistance member 50′ in greater detail. Resistance member 50′ comprisesa pair of band attachment mounts 52′ for receiving an elastic band 54′having a restraining bulb 56′ at each end. As shown, an inner one of theband attachment mounts 52′ is adapted to be secured to the hand grip40′. Preferably, the inner band attachment mount 52′ is positioned ontoand secured to an outer portion of the hand grip 40′, as previouslydescribed, such that the hand grip is biased outwardly along the lengthof the bar 32′. An outer one of the band attachment mounts 52′ isadapted to be positioned onto and secured to an outer portion of theopposed end of bar 32′. As previously described, the outer bandattachment mount 52′ and the inner band attachment mount 52′ arepreferably made of the same material and configured to be the same sizeand shape for commonality of manufacture and reduced cost.

The restraining bulb 56′ provided at each end of the elastic band 54′ issized and shaped to be larger than a respective opening formed in eachof the inner and outer band attachment mounts 52′. In this manner, therestraining bulbs 56′ are restrained by the respective band attachmentmounts 52′ against compressive forces exerted by the elastic band 54′.Preferably, the relaxed, or non-extended, length of the elastic band 54′is slightly less than the distance between the inner band attachmentmount 52′ and the outer band attachment 52′ when the hand grip 40′ is inthe first exercise position previously described with reference to FIG.2A and FIG. 3A. As such, the elastic band 54′ need only be elongated, orextended, slightly to be received within the openings of the respectiveinner and outer band attachment mounts 52′ so that each of therestraining bulbs 56′ is restrained by the respective band attachmentmount. As previously mentioned, a plurality of elastic bands 54′ may bemade available for use with each elastic band having essentially thesame relaxed, or non-extended, length, but a different resistance toelongation. In this manner, the amount of resistance to sliding movementof the hand grips 40′ along the length of the bar 32′ from the firstexercise position to the second exercise position (described withreference to FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B) may be readily varied over any desiredrange. Regardless, stops 46′ are spaced apart along the length of bar32′ with each stop positioned between the band attachment mounts 52′ ofresistance member 50′ such that the stop is adjacent the inner bandattachment mount when the hand grip 40′ is in the first exerciseposition. In this manner, the hand grips 40′ are prevented from slidingmovement outwardly on the bar 32′ beyond the first exercise position andcan only be moved inwardly along the length of the bar 32′ in thedirection of the second exercise position.

Exercise bar 30′ is used in the manner previously described withreference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 for performing push-up exercises from aprone position according to the present invention. In particular, aperson desiring to perform push-up exercises from a prone positionplaces the exercise apparatus 10′ on a generally horizontal surface,such as a floor. If desired, the stand 20′ and/or stops 46′ may besecured to the floor in any suitable manner to prevent the exerciseapparatus 10′ from slipping relative to the floor. As previouslymentioned, the opposed ends of the bar 32′ are preferably secured withinthe troughs formed by the cradle portions 48 of the stops 46′ in amanner that does not obstruct the extension and retraction movement ofthe elastic bands 54′ relative to the stops. With the stand 20′ properlypositioned on the bar 32′ and the bar properly positioned on the stops46′, the person uses his or her hands to grip the hand grips 40′ in the“down portion” of a conventional push-up exercise with the elbows bentand the legs extended in the prone position illustrated in FIG. 6. Theposition of the hand grips 40′ (including the inner band attachmentmounts 52′) in the down portion of the push-up exercise is also referredto herein as the first exercise position described with reference toFIG. 2A and FIG. 3A. The person next moves to the “up portion” of aconventional push-up exercise by moving (i.e. sliding) the hand grips40′ inwardly along the length of the bar 32′ against the resistance ofthe elastic bands 54′ until the elbows are locked with the legs stillextended in the prone position illustrated in FIG. 7. The position ofthe hand grips 40′ (including the inner band attachment mounts 52′) inthe up portion of the push-up exercise is also referred to herein as thesecond exercise position described with reference to FIG. 2B and FIG.3B. The person then returns to the “down portion” of the push-upexercise by moving (i.e. sliding) the hand grips 40′ outwardly along thelength of the bar 32′ back to the first exercise position to compete thepush-up exercise in the prone position illustrated in FIG. 6.

As previously mentioned, in other embodiments exercise bar 30′ may alsobe used in the manner described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 8and FIG. 9 for performing barbell exercises from a standing positionaccording to the present invention. It will be readily appreciated thatbarbell exercises may also be performed from a supine position inessentially the same manner. In particular, a person desiring to performbarbell exercises from a standing position removes the opposed ends ofthe bar 32′ from the troughs formed by the cradle portions 48 of thestops 46′, and if desired, positions at least one weight on each of theopposed ends of the bar retained by a removable clip 35, or the like.With the bar 32′ removed from the stops 46′, the person uses his or herhands to grip the hand grips 40′ in the “retracted portion” of aconventional barbell exercise with the elbows bent and the legs in thestanding position illustrated in FIG. 8. The position of the hand grips40′ (including the inner band attachment mounts 52′) in the retractedportion of the barbell exercise is also referred to herein as the firstexercise position described with reference to FIG. 2A and FIG. 3A. Theperson next moves to the “extended portion” of a conventional barbellexercise by moving (i.e. sliding) the hand grips 40′ inwardly along thelength of the bar 32′ against the resistance of the elastic bands 54′until the elbows are locked with the legs in the standing positionillustrated in FIG. 9. The position of the hand grips 40′ (including theinner band attachment mounts 52′) in the extended portion of the barbellexercise is also referred to herein as the second exercise positiondescribed with reference to FIG. 2B and FIG. 3B. The person the returnsto the “retracted portion” of the barbell exercise by moving (i.e.sliding) the hand grips 40′ outwardly along the length of the bar 32′back to the first exercise position to compete the barbell exercise inthe standing position illustrated in FIG. 8.

The foregoing has described one or more exemplary embodiments of anexercise apparatus for performing anaerobic exercises. In the exemplaryembodiments shown and described herein, the exercise apparatus is anexercise bar having sliding hand grips for performing push-up exercisesfrom a prone position and for performing barbell exercises from a supineposition or from a standing position. Preferred embodiments of theexercise apparatus and methods of using the same have been shown anddescribed herein for purposes of illustrating and enabling the best modeof the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art, however, willreadily understand and appreciate that numerous variations andmodifications of the invention may be made without departing from itsintended spirit and scope. Accordingly, all such variations andmodifications are intended to be encompassed by the appended claims. Inparticular, it will be readily understood and appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that the relative positions of the inner and outerband attachment mounts, stops, and hand grips of the exercise bar may bereversed on the bar to provide resistance against sliding movement ofthe hand grips outwardly along the length of the bar. Furthermore,push-up exercises and barbell exercises may be performed in eitherconfiguration by moving the hand grips along the length of the bar ineither direction (i.e. inwardly or outwardly) from a first exerciseposition to a second exercise position and back to the first exerciseposition to complete the exercise.

1. An exercise apparatus for performing anaerobic exercises comprising:an elongate bar having a medial portion and opposed ends disposedoutwardly of the medial portion; and a pair of hand grips mounted on thebar in spaced-apart relation, each of the hand grips being slidablymounted on the bar and configured to slide along the length of the baragainst a resistance force from a first exercise position to a secondexercise position.
 2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1,wherein each of the hand grips is configured to slide inwardly along thelength of bar from the first exercise position to the second exerciseposition.
 3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each ofthe hand grips is configured to slide outwardly along the length of barfrom the first exercise position to the second exercise position.
 4. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair ofhand grips is biased in a predetermined direction along the length ofthe bar.
 5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each ofthe pair of hand grips is biased outwardly along the length of the bar.6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aresistance member fixed to the bar and movably attached to at least oneof the pair of hand grips for increasing the resistance force as thehand grip slides along the length of the bar from the first exerciseposition to the second exercise position.
 7. An exercise apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the at least one of the pair of hand gripsis configured to slide inwardly along the length of bar from the firstexercise position to the second exercise position.
 8. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 6, wherein the at least one of the pair ofhand grips is configured to slide outwardly along the length of bar fromthe first exercise position to the second exercise position.
 9. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the resistance membercomprises an inner band attachment mount and an outer band attachmentmount spaced-apart along the length of the bar and at least one elasticband attached to and disposed between the inner band attachment mountand the outer band attachment mount.
 10. An exercise apparatus accordingto claim 9, wherein the outer band attachment mount is fixedly attachedto the bar and the inner and attachment mount is attached to the atleast one of the hand grips such that inner band attachment mount slideswith the hand grip along the length of the bar.
 11. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of cradles forreceiving the opposed ends of the bar to thereby support the bar on agenerally horizontal surface for performing a push-up exercise.
 12. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 11, wherein each of the pair ofcradles defines a trough for receiving one of the opposed ends of thebar and wherein at least one of the opposed ends of the bar is securedwithin the corresponding trough to thereby prevent rotation and slippingof the bar.
 13. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising a pair of stops disposed on the opposed ends of the baroutwardly of the pair of hand grips, the stops being fixedly attached tothe bar to thereby prevent outward movement of each of the hand grips onthe bar beyond the respective one of the stops.
 14. A method ofperforming a push-up exercise from a prone position comprising:positioning an exercise bar on a generally horizontal surface, theexercise bar comprising an elongate bar supported above the horizontalsurface and a pair of hand grips mounted on the bar for sliding movementagainst a resistance force along the length of the bar; gripping atleast one of the hand grips; sliding the at least one of the hand gripsagainst the resistance force along the length of the bar from a firstexercise position to a second exercise position; and sliding the atleast one of the hand grips along the length of the bar from the secondexercise position back to the first exercise position.
 15. A method ofperforming a barbell exercise from a supine position or from a standingposition comprising: holding an exercise bar above a generallyhorizontal surface, the exercise bar comprising an elongate bar and apair of hand grips mounted on the bar for sliding movement against aresistance force along the length of the bar; gripping at least one ofthe hand grips; sliding the at least one of the hand grips against theresistance force along the length of the bar from a first exerciseposition to a second exercise position; and sliding the at least one ofthe hand grips along the length of the bar from the second exerciseposition back to the first exercise position.